First Day of The New School Year

The first lesson of the day was for me. It was a loud reminder from the Lord that I'm to make my plans and then surrender them to His. Sometimes our plans are the same. More often, they're not.

So, after a bit of a fight, I just took a deep breath, remembered the beauty and flexibility of teaching our children at home, and did the next thing.

Cap'n looks a bit scared, and Sarge looks like a Sarge.

And for a bit of FUN:

With love,

Trisha

If You Asked Me What I Know About Homeschooling

There's nothing profound in what I've learned about homeschooling over the years. But, often, the obvious can be most life-changing and burden-lifting. Perhaps something here will be an encouragement to newbies and veterans alike, and if nothing else, these are notes to myself. 

First of all, it's a good practice to make a list of what God's teaching you as you teach your children. If you're like I am, there will be plenty of days to remind yourself of the lessons you've already learned because sometimes the truth is in your head while being miles from your heart.

Here we go, in no particular order...

1) Bathe your days in prayer and God's Word, and give Him the glory for everything. Everything.

2) Be encouraged and inspired by other homeschooling Moms, but don't compare and don't covet. Someone will always have a lovelier schoolroom, smarter and more motivated children, more money for more expensive curriculum, be more organized, etc.  When we long to be another Mama, in different circumstances, with different children, we're telling God that He doesn't know what He's doing. This is still a struggle for me, after all of these years, but it's a reminder to keep my eyes fixed on Christ and His provision.

3) Don't separate the teacher and the Mama. A homeschooling mother boasted to me the fact that when she's teaching, her children are not allowed to call her Mom. They must address her as Mrs. ______. She thought it was the greatest idea. I was horrified. Do we make our children call us Nurse or Counselor or Judge when we step into those different roles? The beauty of motherhood is that we get to be all of those things, wrapped up in the loveliest name of Mother. Our roles blend beautifully together, and our relationships with our children should reflect that.

4) When God's given your child a love or gift for something, it will often shine through even if you've not formally taught that subject or skill. My oldest son loves to write, but I've never taught him formal writing. He's a natural, which doesn't mean he doesn't have to learn anything about his craft, but it's a reminder that our children's giftings don't hinge on our ability to teach everything.

5) Include in your teaching something of particular interest to each child. Do you have a child who loves experiments? Then let him do more experiments. Do you have a child who loves horses? Include that love in her daily lessons. We must know our children and not forget to encourage their interests. This is one of the advantages of homeschooling!

6) Be prepared for messes. All day long. Ok, this applies more if you still have Littles at home or at least a child who's very crafty or artistic. Our goal is not a perfect home, but rather a home where learning flourishes. And learning is often messy.

7) Have several brief pick-up times throughout the day. Our family of 11 has FOUR "quick pick-ups" throughout the day. The longest one is right after breakfast and includes the children's other chores. Then we pick up "domains" (the area a child is in charge of keeping clean) after lunch, before dinner, and before bed. These times of putting things back in order will protect your sanity!

8) Sometimes you just have to call it quits. Not quits on homeschooling, but quits on the year or a textbook. You won't always have the opportunity or ability to FINISH everything. Don't beat yourself up. Instead, make sure you're not indulging laziness, and then embrace the gift of a fresh start.

9) Tailor your schedule to fit your life. I've not read of another homeschooling family with a schedule like ours. My Beloved travels over three hours a day back and forth to work. We normally don't eat dinner until around 8:00. Our children don't usually go to bed until 10-10:30 at night. Is this because we're undisciplined or careless? NO. We like to eat dinner together, and we have family worship before bed. I still battle guilt that my children are not awake at 7:00 and starting their school day by 8 or 9. But we're not THAT family, and I'm having to learn to rest in this truth every day. Work out a schedule that reflects the life God has given you, not your neighbor.

10) Remember limitations can be a blessing and protection.  Not being able to afford something or do something reminds us that God gets the glory for everything....not the curriculum or an on-line class or a co-op. Our limitations encourage us to trust God for providing what we need when we need it, and often protect us from losing our vision of why we're homeschooling in the first place. Don't let your goals and dreams and fears of failing choke out the memories of God's faithfulness and provision and your ability to trust Him.

11) Consistency is more powerful than the "perfect" curriculum. Often it's not that we need to keep buying a newer and better product with which to teach a subject. We just need to be consistent in using what we have. Pray for a faithful and diligent heart.

12) Remember the power of osmosis. My eight year old often comes to me reciting the older children's memory work. How does she do this? She hears the older ones working on their passages. This is how our younger children learn a multitude of things. And it's a lovely way to expose them to great art and beautiful music, too. Post lovely art prints around the house and discuss them in passing. Play Chopin or Bach while you're doing lessons or cleaning up. We all know that much of our learning isn't scheduled, but rather happens in the rhythm of everyday living. Isn't it wonderful how God works?

13) Use what you have. As I look to make my purchases for this new school year, there are lots of things I can't afford. But, I have shelves of curriculum and books that I can use. I just need to forget the temptation and glitter of "new" and trust God to bless what I have. Look around you. What you need might be right in front of you.

14) Just because you don't have a skill doesn't mean your children never will. There are lots of people waiting to teach others what they know. I can't crochet, but my 12 year old does so wonderfully because a neighbor graciously comes over to teach her. A former neighbor, who was 88 at the time, taught our Emma how to paint with oils, and other friends have been available to work with her on sewing. This are examples of how God provides in unexpected ways. Ask Him!

15) Discipline is not a waste of time. You've tried to finish the math lesson for the fifth time, and you have another "issue." This child needs to be disciplined, but you just want to get through the lesson, and you're tired of having to stop and start over. DON'T GIVE IN to the temptation to let the discipline go. You'll invest the time now, or you will truly pay the price later. Is not training up our children in the way they should go at the heart of homeschooling? Take the time to correct with love and consistency.

16) The Bible is not a separate subject. While there might be specific times for studying God's Word, His Word should permeate everything we're teaching our children. Don't make it a separate "subject" to be checked off, not influencing every moment of your days.

17) Know thyself. What makes you see red? When you know what triggers your frustration and anger, you can fervently pray about these things and be proactive in showing self-control and wisdom to prevent or minimize your struggles in these areas. Does disorganization drive you crazy? Sibling conflict? Memorize appropriate Scriptures and arm yourself with prayer. Take practical measures to control the externals, but remember that sanctification is in progress for everyone in your home, so expect the battles to come, and beg for the grace to honor Him when they do.

18) Have a watch with a timer. Because you'll need it to time math drills and how fast your child can run. It's great for tracking read aloud time or how long your child actually takes to finish a math lesson. When the timer is right on your wrist, it's much harder to forget that you were timing something in the first place. :)

19) Celebrate! Make a big deal of your child's victories and milestones, big and small. Don't lose the wonder of a child's reading his first story just because you've watched four other children do so. Remember what a big deal it is to learn to jump rope or write your first letter or recite your first poem. Smile. Smile big. Say, "Great job." And sometimes shower blessings upon the Victors.

20) Interruptions are often opportunities. We make our plans, but God directs our steps. Too often, we want to tell Him HOW to direct them, and we get frustrated when His plans don't match ours. Your plans are a framework, the skeleton for your days. But don't hold to them so tightly that you miss the opportunities God sets right before you. It's a balance, for sure, but when your child gets sick or your neighbor's car just broke down, clinging to your "plans" and stewing over the change of them is to craft an idol in your heart. Why is it so hard to learn that life RARELY goes as planned? (And yes, we have to set up boundaries around our school day, for the friend who thinks we're not really doing anything and just wants to talk on the phone for 2 hours, etc. but that's not what I'm addressing here.)

21) Read When You Rise Up by R.C. Sproul, Jr. at least once a year. Yes, it's THAT good.

22) Preach the Gospel to yourself and your children every day. There won't ever be a time when you won't need to be reminded or be reminding your children of His salvation and His grace.

If you've made it this far, WOW! I could write more and more, but I'll stop here. Remember that God's grace is sufficient, and He is trustworthy and faithful!! Ask for eyes wide open to notice this TRUTH every day!

May God richly bless you as you tend to the hearts of your children and encourage in them a love for learning and a love for Him!

With love,
Trisha


***this originally written for my Multitude of Mercies blog, edited and updated for today's post

Dear Ink

My son, you know it doesn't take much for me to cry, but I wasn't prepared for the emotions I'd feel this morning when I realized it's your last day of high school. I remember agonizing over the "perfect curriculum" for you when we started our first day of school 13 years ago. It was Calvert. Expensive and more than we needed. But it made me feel like a teacher. (Because, at that point, no one reminded me that I had been your teacher from day one.)

My educational philosophy has changed greatly over the years. I could never duplicate what I did with you, for our family has changed, and I have changed. I understand so much better God's command to teach you when I rise up and when I sit down--you know, all along the way. I've surrendered those petty concerns that first consume a homeschooling mother as I see that you manage to write quite well even though you rebelled against the traditional pencil hold, and you navigate the sea of words like an expert even though I never got around to those formal writing courses. And yes, I've given up my conviction that all children should love math.

This is the moment I'd hear other mothers speak of, but because it was so far away for me, I couldn't grasp how bittersweet it would be. Those doubts are vying for attention--did we do well by you? Did we do enough?

I remember when I first whispered my concerns to you. It was an affront to you, for wondering if I had taught you well implied we weren't pleased with the man you are and continue to become. How far from true this is! But, in this sin-cursed world, guilt seems to be in the air a mother breathes, so the questions creep in, and the best weapon against them is His Word.

And His Word is where you often point me. What mother wouldn't say that her children have taught her far more than she feels she's taught them? You are no exception. You have taught me new things and reinforced those truths I already know.

You've taught me fun things, like learning to love fiction and movies and soundtracks. You've taught me that birthdays don't require cake, for pies will do just as well, if not better.

You've taught me that I second-guess myself to an extreme, and that I make hasty judgments and rulings from parent-court when I'm stressed about other things. You've taught me that two people can argue intensely about something without it coming between them, like after we've disagreed, and you say, "Hey, Mom, did you know...?"

You've taught me contentment as I've watched you cheerfully live within our means, not once complaining that our bank account wasn't bigger or that we couldn't give you more---a car, a paid-for college education, a bedroom of your own...

You've taught me submission to God's will as you've endured painful surgery and a three-year long process of healing. There was no fist-shaking from you or "why me?"

But most of all, you have taught me with your life that God is faithful and gives the increase. The grace you've extended to this wretch of a Mom, because, yes, I am, astounds me, and I know you can only give me grace because of the grace He has worked in you. John said there was no greater joy than to know his children walked in truth, God's truth, and this is our joy, too. To watch you end these high-school days as a young man who firmly grasps the truth of the gospel, who firmly clings to the truth of His Word, who loves His Savior and desires to glorify Him, is the greatest joy of our homeschooling journey with you.

God is faithful, my son. May He always find you so in whatever He calls you to do.

I love you more than you'll ever know.

Love,
Mom

Mama, Have You Forgotten What Season It Is?

I often think of myself as a Mommy-in-the-Middle. Yes, I'm in the middle of lots of stuff, like laughter and chaos, but I'm also the mother of children ranging in ages from 17-2, with a baby on the way. I'm a mother in the middle of several different parenting stages.

I can relate to the Mom who's navigating those unpredictable waters of adolescence, holding on tight during the turbulent days of puberty, watching with wonder the little ones' discoveries, battling self-control during toddler temper tantrums, or smiling as she hears her baby master an endless number of new words a day.

I know, simultaneously, what it is to wrestle with anxiety about your oldest ones' futures, wondering if you honored the LORD with the time you had, while fighting to be steady in training the younger ones to form good habits and obey consistently. I listen to Mumford and Sons and movie soundtracks while hearing Judy Rogers' songs and Patch the Pirate lyrics in my head.

I walk alongside the Mama who's watching her almost-grown children frame their own lives, as well as the Mama who's joyfully buying onesies for her new baby. I weep with the Mama who looks back on years of parenting and sees the grace God poured out on all of her days, while I share the secret worries of the newer Mama who wonders if there's enough grace for this day.

Sometimes the crossing over of these many phases of childhood stretches me thin, but most days its my own unrealistic expectations that weaken me.

While searching Pinterest I came across some wonderful activities for the Littles. I remembered how creative I used to be with the older ones and how detailed their early homeschooling lessons were. But that many years ago, I was the mother of two, not eight. I had less laundry, fewer dishes, less planning, fewer interruptions. It was a different stage of God's plan for my mothering. Yet, Guilt and Discontent started knocking and asking questions, and I found it hard to ignore them.

"Look what a better job you did with your older children. Why aren't you doing those same things now? Your younger ones are being deprived. Your older ones are being deprived. Maybe you've gotten lazy? What you're doing is not enough."

Ecclesiastes tells us there's a time for everything, but I often forget such wisdom includes what I do as a mother. There is a season, for all mothers, when the most reading you'll do will be from books by Mother Goose or Beatrix Potter. There is a season when you'll not tackle new projects but simply maintain order of what you have. There is a season when you'll splurge on a family vacation and a season when you'll squeak by just paying the bills. There's a season when you'll spend most of your time in correction and discipline, and a season in which you delight in the fruit of the Spirit manifested in your children.

And for some of us Mamas, our seasons overlap, and yet, they're still a season in itself.  No matter how much I long to be the same mother for my younger ones that my older ones had, I can't make that happen. It's impossible to create the same childhood for every child. I can't mother like my friends who only have little ones and spend hours on creative learning and crafts, and I can't mother like my friends who only have older children and read books at lightning speed or have more time for hobbies or volunteer work. I can only mother like a mother who has eight children of varying ages with the circumstances and resources God has set before me. Do I believe His provision is enough?

This is the kind of mothering all mothers should be doing, mothering that's mindful of the season God has gifted us. The temptation is to confuse the seasons. When our children are little, we're pursuing things that are best done when they're older. When they're older, we're holding on to what we didn't do when they were little. (Those of us who have younger and older have to fight even harder to balance it all well and make sure we're not neglecting what is needful for the older ones AND the little ones.)

We exhaust ourselves with expectations that were meant for a season we're no longer in or for a season that hasn't yet arrived. We lose sight of God's providence because we're scrambling to duplicate, as a large family, what a small family has, or as a small family, what a large family does. We sacrifice eternal bounty for keeping up with Mama Jones, whether the keeping up is the number of books we daily read aloud or the material goods or educational opportunities we provide.

And yes, it comes down to contentment. Contentment grows as we embrace the God-ordained boundaries that are fixed to the seasons of our mothering. Contentment flourishes when we focus on His purposes for our days instead of trying to combine a life's worth of seasons into right here right now. Contentment keeps our eyes set on His faithfulness instead of our accomplishments.

Learn from other mothers in different seasons. Make notes of what you want to do when those seasons come. But rest firmly in the truth that God does give us seasons as mothers, and when we walk contentedly in His design for our days, we honor Him well in our mothering, leaving Guilt and Discontent with nothing to say.

With love,
Trisha

Notes from Home

"Take notice not only of the mercies of God, but of God in the mercies. Mercies are never so savoury, as when they savour of a Saviour."
~Ralph Venning, 1620-1673

Loving the Learning : It's that time of year when most homeschool families are excited about summer break. Us? We're thrilled (ok, I am) to be entering our third term and glad to be on schedule. July 23rd is our momentous last day, and then we'll be enjoying a break until after baby arrives.

Ink and Jake have especially enjoyed George Grant's Modernity course and the plan is to go through Christendom next year. Emma and Luke are loving Visual Latin, and Luke reminds me that Ink and Jake would have loved Latin, too, if they'd studied it this way. :)

I'm attempting for the first time ever to plan out an entire school year for all of the children. Mystie at Simply Convivial has been sharing awesome posts about how to do this. If I had a tenth of her organizational skills, I can only imagine what the days might be like. But since that is a haunting ideal, I'm not staying in my imaginary place for long.

Elisabeth's hearing: Elisabeth's green-pellet-in-the-ear adventure is behind us, and she got a perfect report from the ENT last week. I stopped by a hearing evaluation center the doctor recommended and was so grateful when they said they could see her right then. The verdict? Her hearing is just fine! Thanks be to God!

So now I'm pursuing speech therapy methods I can try at home with her. If you have any suggestions, I'm all ears. :)

Family Time: We've got one last chapter in the Penrod and Sam book. It's such fun having Daddy do this read aloud, and it's a favorite of the children.

We're considering our first family vacation ever to somewhere other than the east coast. The Littles are especially excited, and I love that they'd all rather be able to stay longer somewhere than have a lot of fancy things available to do. I'm thankful for children who love the outdoors, have great imaginations, and delight in books. This makes it much easier when planning a trip. :)

Baby Boy: How gracious God is to bring me thus far in this pregnancy. I'm 22 weeks and 2 days, and my visit yesterday with my OB went very well. My blood pressure and weight are great, and I'm thankful for a normal, uneventful visit.

I'm grateful to be feeling well enough to work out consistently, which is especially important when you already have enough fat for baby to thrive on. Plus, the terror of hearing them say in the operating room, "This lady requires two operating tables!" is quite the motivator. Ha!

My Crohn's is quite subdued most days, and that is a great mercy! In all my years of having this disease, even though I was so sick when pregnant with Ella and didn't know if I'd ever be able to walk normally again, I have never known the affliction of being hospitalized for extended periods of time or losing massive amounts of weight. It is only because of the grace of God, and I've grown more and more aware of how much He's spared me.

Do we have a name? We think so. Are we sharing it? Not yet.

Making it Home: We're eager to have a new roof overhead, but we're still waiting on our monstrous mortgage company to release the money that belongs to us since we've paid those insurance premiums all these years the money we had to send them from our insurance company. They're tyrants I say, and if I didn't believe in God's perfect timing, I think I'd fly to Minnesota and picket their office or something like that. ('Cause that's such a productive use of my time...)

That said, I'm grateful we haven't had major rainstorms, considering we have several exposed areas on our roof. Every time those dark clouds gather but the rain doesn't fall, I praise God for His mercy. (And honestly, I'd praise God for His mercy, though it would be harder, even if He saw fit to have our roof leak. Is it not true that everything God does for us is best and is a mercy?)

The guys painted our master bath, and it's beautiful! I'll post pictures after I finish adding the lovely details.

Prayer Requests: Most importantly, my Mom is having a heart catheterization done tomorrow at 10:00 eastern time. Test results have shown that her heart is very weak, so the doctor is considering a stent or a pacemaker, depending on what he finds during the surgery. Her results explain why she's been feeling so miserable these past months and has been struggling to breathe.

Her visit with a neurologist revealed that she's also been having mini-strokes, with a more significant one having happened in January. This explains her constant falling and the change in her walk.

Heavy and serious stuff, and the hearing those reports put me in a state of panic and worry.  My heart is especially heavy knowing that everything she does is such an effort for her. But I remembered Who I belong to, and Who exactly orders every moment of our days. "...Thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance." Psalm 32:7

Your prayers for my Mom are greatly appreciated! Thank you in advance for interceding on her behalf.

I'll be away from the blog for the next few days, but I hope to have Ink post an update about my Mom.

With love,
Trisha

I Could Smell You Coming From a Mile Away and Other Home Adventures

The Mountain Men had a great weekend of shooting and throwing and sittin' around the fire. I told my Beloved that I knew they were home just by the smell. :) But they didn't return empty handed.

The spoils included a powder horn, walking stick,  tomahawk, a gun sling, pistol cleaner, knives, sheepskin, cookware, and even trinkets for the girls.

Back at the fort, we forced ourselves to have tea and scones, read together, clean, and create. I would never describe myself as creative, and yet, I'm thankful for that God-given desire to make things.

We started first with the essential childhood ingredient....play dough. Don't you love this pink bubble gum color?

Here's our favorite inedible version. 

(Because surely you've eaten the peanut butter kind. :))

2 c. flour

2 c. water

1 c. salt

2 T. veg. oil

1 T. cream of tartar

Mix together and cook over low heat. Remove from pan and knead on wax paper. This keeps for quite awhile when kept in a container.

We also indulged in our favorite scone recipe. My lovely Emma set out my grandmother's sugar bowl and creamer. I've been thinking of giving these away as I try to eliminate "stuff," but now I'm glad I haven't. They were an elegant touch to our table, and I loved my daughter's enthusiasm for using them.

We managed to fit in some laughter, too.

While many are well into their new school year, we're on break, preparing to start in October. I immersed myself in Binder Bliss and managed to get six done. Only three more to go! Little Clairesy saw the excitement of her siblings when I was done with their binders, and now she wants one, too.

Last, but definitely not least, I gave my calendar area a makeover.

This is my brain tacked to a wall.

Here's my new improved brain, and I LOVE IT! Those pockets are perfect for dry erase markers. So, I have a calendar in the upper left corner. I keep the week's recipes in the pocket to the right.  In the middle section are the directions to my house (so the children have it if they ever need to explain it to someone...) as well as phone numbers. The large pocket is for anything outgoing, such as mail or papers to give to someone.  The small pocket to the right holds the dry erase marker and two pens.  Then there are four bottom folder areas. I use one for grocery sale papers, and the other three I'm still working on.

My cousin is responsible for telling me about this genius of an idea. You can read more about it at her Thirty One page.  This wasn't cheap, but it was worth every cent, and even my sons are impressed with my new brain.

Ok, so surely one of these things qualifies me to link up with Petra's World of Work Wednesday. 

I'm tired now.

With love,

Sew On, My Girl, Sew on

***This is our 700th post!***

I have feared this machine for the longest time, and if God, in His humbling kindness had not blessed us with four daughters, I probably would continue to avoid IT.  I have convinced myself that my brain is incapable of grasping the workings of a sewing machine, but there is a time for everything, and yesterday was the time to put those fears aside and just TRY. 

I watched sweet Whistler take to this machine like a fish to water, and I realize she'll be teaching  ME. Her enthusiasm blessed my heart, and I thank God she's so excited to be learning these skills!

Endless thanks to Miss Caity for getting us started, ever so patiently, in the midst of hug attacks from the Three Lovables.  We can't wait for the next lesson! And thanks, too, to Caity's Mom who is so graciously sharing her daughter with us. I'm also thankful for a husband who says, "You really need to spend a couple hours a day practicing what you're learning." :)

My most favorite picture. Caity's hand on Whistler's. Older servant's heart teaching and guiding the younger one. Such sweetness!

Whistler's first piece of work!

We had to pry the Lovables off Caity.

Whistler's second project. She would have kept going if we had more fabric. Now I'm wishing there was a fabric store nearby! This could be trouble. :)

What We'll Be Doing on Thursday Nights

It starts this Thursday night, but there's still time to get the rest of the books.  You can learn more about it at the Vision Forum website.

Recitations by Reaches Up and Whistler

Here's Reaches Up reciting this poem we posted awhile ago..."Your Duty"

Here is Whistler reciting "Pirate Story" by Robert Louis Stevenson, one of our favorite writers and poets.

Studies for 2009-2010~ The Littles

We're continuing to enjoy Ambleside Online for our main curriculum. 

Together, Whistler, 3rd grade,  and Reaches Up, 2nd grade, are in Year 2 of AO (which doesn't correspond to grade levels.)  They're studying the Middle Ages with a great selection of living books and will start making a timeline this year.   The rest of their curriculum is as follows:

Bible:  Daily Quiet Time reading from Old/New Testaments alternately, Scripture Memorization, Catechism

Math: Math Mammoth, Calculadder Math Drills, Pattern Blocks, Wrap-Ups

Science:  Considering God's Creation, Science Experiments from My Big Science Book

Grammar:  English for the Thoughtful Child

Handwriting:  Italic, Daily Copywork

Physical Ed:  Run 1 mile 3x a week; regular outside play

Poetry:  Walter De la Mare (for this first term)

Geography:  Beginning Geography:  How to Use a Map; Land Forms and Bodies of Water

Music:  Whistler (piano)  Reaches Up (Recorder)

Discipleship:  Plants Grown Up and Polished Cornerstones

Handiwork:  Whistler (crocheting)  Reaches Up (models with his brothers)

Nature Study:  Nature Study Readers, exploring outside, nature journals

Art:  Teaching Art to Children and various projects from art websites

Spelling:  Sequential Spelling

Since Whistler and Reaches Up are only 18 months apart, I can keep them together in many of their studies while just customizing the individual subjects to their own levels.

They both give daily narrations each day from our history readings as well.  Charlotte Mason encouraged short lessons at this age, and I find that to be a wonderfully effective method for retention as well as for developing a love for learning.

Boo was excited to start lessons this year, too (very informally and moreso because she loves to do things that her siblings are doing....she's always asking for an "activity.")

Bible:  ABC Bible Memory Book, Beginner's Bible, Catechism

I really like the Kumon workbooks, and she's working through those learning tracing, cutting, pasting, writing, and counting skills.  She and Little Bit still watch the Signing Time DVDs.  Of course, we do plenty of reading aloud, and all the Littles still enjoy plenty of play time.

Having Fun with the Debate

There's a post at www.dominionfamily.com about tonight's debate. Check out the great bingo links she offers. Even if you don't like either candidate, there's fun and learning for the littles and the young adults if you decide to watch.

God and the Wagoner

Whistler, Reaches Up, and I read from Aesop's Fables today. We typically really like these stories and can easily see the "moral" of the story. Today's reading was titled "Hercules and the Wagoner" with a moral of "Self help is the best help" and "Heaven helps those who help themselves." We had a great discussion about measuring all that we read from a Christian Worldview. Then, thinking of the Farmer as a Christian instead of a pagan, Whistler gave the following narration ...

There was once a farmer driving along a miry road after a heavy rain. The horses could hardly pull the wagon. Finally, they came to a standstill, and the wheel sank. The Farmer jumped down from the wagon. He stood there looking at the wheel. He started praying to God to help him. After praying, he bent to the wheel and pushed the wheel. Finally, the wheels started moving again. The happy wagoner jumped back on the wagon and praised God for helping him.

Reaches Up came up with a new proverb for this story. The first thing we should do when we're in trouble is pray to God.

Back to School

Last Monday found us beginning our new school year. After having finished up the previous year in mid-July, we enjoyed the break, and Queen Mom enjoyed the time to plan and order books! Homeschooling offers many temptations in the way of curriculum, and it can get exhausting to reevaluate one's plans and approach each year.
After much prayer and research, I'm delighted to say that I think I've found what we'll be using through high school. The children are enjoying their assignments and reading, and Mommy is enjoying the pace. Of course, we tweak the plan as necessary, according to our convictions as well as preferences, but overall, it's nice to have so much of the planning work already done. The main hurdle is my having enough time to read ahead and be familiar with the Scribe's and Little Big Man's readings.
I'm sure the children would love to have you take a peek at what they're reading and working on. Just visit http://www.amblesideonline.org/. Click on Years 1 (Reaches Up and Whistler), 5 (Little Big Man), and 7 (Scribe). By the way, the "years" don't correspond with traditional public school grades. You'll be able to see their book lists as well as their schedules.

Love,
Queen Mom

The Value of Narration

From the beginning, we've used a technique called "narration" in our homeschool. It's quite simple. After listening to a reading, the child tells back what he/she remembers. As our children get older, they begin writing several of their narrations each week. It truly is amazing what benefits this simple approach offers. Here's a narration by Whistler (completely in her own words) that she gave to me this morning after listening to the story last night. (Normally, we narrate immediately after our readings, but since we read the fable late last night, this Mommy decided to type it out in the morning.) I was amazed at what Whistler remembered and at how well she articulated her story.

"The Eagle and the Jackdaw"

An eagle swopped down and seized a lamb. A jackdaw saw the deed and got it in his silly head that he could do the same thing. He swooped down and landed on the back of a ram. But when he tried to soar up, he found that he could not because his claws were entangled in the wool. So far was he from carrying away the ram that the ram hardly noticed he was there. A farmer saw the jackdaw fluttering, and, at once, knew what he had gotten into his silly head. He went over and clipped the jackdaw's wings. That night he gave the jackdaw to his children. "What a funny bird this is!" said his children. "What kind of bird is it, father?" "This, my children, " said the farmer, "is a jackdaw. But if you should ask him, he would say he is an eagle." Do not let vanity cause you to overestimate your powers.

(From Aesop's Fables)

Variegated Fritillary

Reaches Up and Whistler were delighted to find this beautiful butterfly today! It was injured and could no longer fly. We eagerly searched our field guides and excitedly discovered that we were holding a Variegated Fritillary. Whistler happily kept this delicate creature by her side most of the afternoon.